Come along with me and share the excitement as I explore the world researching freelance articles. You'll have some fun, make some discoveries, and pick up some good ideas and information for your own vacations. Think of me as your canary in the mine. BTW, have you visited my new BERKELEY AND BEYOND website at http://www.berkeleyandbeyond.com?

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Good Eats: Pongsri Thai Restaurant , NYC

Pongsri Thai Restaurant 106 Bayard St./Baxter St., 212-349-3132. Opened 25 years ago in 1972, this is the oldest family-run and -operated Thai restaurant in NYC. Easy intro dishes include Pad See Ew (a noodle-vegetable dish) and Pra Ram (chicken and broccoli mixed with a curry-coconut-peanut sauce), but plenty more exotic options are available.

Columbus Park is across the street on former swamp land (you can see it out the window). It is in the Five Points neighborhood depicted in the movie “Gangs of New York.” Once ridden with disease, this 5-year-old square of green is the venue now for tai chi, Chinese opera, chess, fortune-telling, and quick repairs of watches and shoes. On nice days, men bring out their caged birds and hang them in trees—just like they do in China.

follow this blog by e-mail

subscribe to this blog

about

*Is a freelance travel writer and the author of 17 books, including
MILES OF SMILES: 101 GREAT CAR GAMES & ACTIVITIES and WEEKEND
ADVENTURES IN SAN FRANCISCO & NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. *Is the founding
publisher of Carousel Press and the editor of DREAM SLEEPS: CASTLE &
PALACE HOTELS OF EUROPE. *Has written for FamilyFun, Sunset, and
numerous other magazines, as well as for the travel sections of many
newspapers. *Has done stints as both a movie and a restaurant critic.
*Has appeared on the Today Show.*Is a member of the Society of
American Travel Writers.